Greenville Equine Veterinary Services

06/27/2025

As a large portion of the country continues to experience extreme heat, it's imperative that horse owners do their due diligence to keep their horses safe and healthy during heat waves.

One of the side effects of the heat for some horses is the inability to sweat properly. This condition, called anhidrosis, is potentially dangerous for horses because it compromises their ability to thermoregulate even in weather that doesn’t seem that hot, and therefore puts them at higher risk of heat stress.

Anhidrosis is not fully understood yet; it is widespread in the hot and humid regions of the southeastern United States and the Gulf states, but it is also widely reported elsewhere during the summer and particularly during heat waves. If your horse has a high respiratory rate and does not seem to tolerate turnout on hot days, be sure to discuss it with your veterinarian.

Remember that administering unnecessary medications without consulting your horse doctor first could do more harm than good, as it puts your equine friend at risk of developing harmful side effects!

06/25/2025

Happy first day of summer! ☀️

As the temperatures heat up, unfortunately some of our equine friends struggle to sweat properly in the summer heat, which can put them at an increased risk of heat stress.

Though there is limited evidence in regard to effective treatments for horses diagnosed with anhidrosis (the inability to sweat properly), there are a few therapies that have been proposed to help, including offering horses dark beer!

Overall, watch closely for signs of heat stress if your horse is diagnosed with anhidrosis. During the summer months, monitor your horse's response to the heat and ensure they are sweating an appropriate amount. If you have concerns about your horse's ability to sweat, please contact your veterinarian.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

06/10/2025

HOW AND WHY DO HORSES GET ULCERS?

Equine gastric ulcers can affect any horse of any age. Up to 90% of racehorses and 60% of show horses, as well as non-performance horses and even foals are affected by equine gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers result from the erosion of the stomach lining due to a prolonged exposure to the normal acid present in the stomach.

Unlike ulcers in humans, bacteria do not appear to cause equine gastric ulcers. Instead, this condition is often a man-made disease. Stall confinement alone can lead to the development of ulcers. A horse’s feeding schedule and high-grain diets can also contribute to the development of ulcers.

Stress, both environmental and physical, can increase the likelihood of ulcers, as can hauling, training, and mixing groups of horses. Strenuous exercise can decrease the emptying of the stomach as well as the blood flow, thus further contributing to the problem.

The treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers is directed at removing these predisposing factors, therefore decreasing acid production within the horse’s stomach. Prevention of ulcers is the key in helping your horse, as neutralizing the production of stomach acid is nature’s best antacid.

Please note that the only way to definitively diagnose ulcers is through a gastroscopy. An equine veterinarian should always be consulted in any case of suspected gastric ulcers to determine the best course of action and treatment for the individual horse.

04/30/2025

Here's another great question that was posed on our recent "Ask the AAEP Horse Doctors" post:

Are oral supplements better than joint injections?

Anything you give to your horse needs to be carefully evaluated for if it lives up to the claims it is making.

Oral supplements are not required to have studies that prove their marketing claims. That being said, some companies have invested in outside research and can provide you with peer-reviewed published research.

Products approved by the FDA (including some injectable joint medications) have to prove safety and effectiveness and can only market based on proven claims. There are many injectable products that are not FDA approved, however, so they should also be questioned for research on safety and effectiveness.

Make sure you are spending your money on a product that is backed by research as there are a lot of unproven options out there.

Before starting any supplement or medication, it is important to know what change you expect to see. It's recommended to evaluate your horse before you start and then again after 30 days. Do you see the change that the product said you would? If yes, continue on. If no, it's time to work with your veterinarian and decide on a potential new plan.

04/18/2025

The more you know...

Gastric ulcer disease is a very common problem in equines, and it affects over 60% of adult horses (depending on age, performance, and evaluated populations). While Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is more prevalent in high performance horses, it's important to remember that any horse can be affected, as all equines suffer from stress (like traveling, stall confinement, changes in diet, etc.) which over time may result in gastric ulcers.

The signs of ulcers a horse might show are highly variable between individuals, but they usually include variations of "bad behavior" like general grumpiness, reluctance to perform, cribbing and teeth-grinding, tail-swishing and other behaviors suggesting restlessness and physical discomfort. Rough hair coat, weight loss and poor body condition are also common.

Has your horse ever expressed any of these signs that led to an ulcer diagnosis? Let us know below ⬇️

If your horse is exhibiting any of these signs, it may be time to consult your veterinarian rather than just chalk them off as behavioral or training issues. Proper diagnosis is crucial to get appropriate treatment started promptly, and your horse doctor will also be able to make recommendations for environmental and management changes that can you help prevent a relapse of ulcers in the future.

04/03/2025

Equine dental health is not only crucial for keeping your equine companion's pearly whites healthy but also for the overall health of the animal in general.

Common dental issues such as the ones mentioned in the graphic can negatively affect the health of the teeth themselves as well as gum, gastrointestinal, and overall mouth health. Dental issues can also impact chewing and food grinding, further exacerbating digestive tract issues.

Has your horse struggled with any of these dental issues before? Let us know below ⬇️

As always, if you have questions or concerns about your horse's dental health, contact your equine veterinarian.

04/03/2025

VECTOR CONTROL AROUND HORSES: WHY IT MATTERS

Bug season is right around the corner! Besides being very irritating, it's important to remember that some of these insects can spread infection and disease to your horse (and, in some cases, to you as well). Therefore, a smart strategy is to control the problem before it gets out of hand and minimize populations from the beginning.

The attached infographic contains some suggestions to get you started. Please keep in mind that there are many variations of these suggested programs that will still meet the same goals and follow the same principles.

As always, reach out to your veterinarian for recommendations suitable for your horse’s specific situation!

03/28/2025

Spring is for the BABIES!!! 🐴🐴🐴

03/02/2025

Spring is almost here! Which means…it's time to schedule your equine companion to receive their spring vaccinations!

If you are wondering what vaccinations your equine friend should receive, the answer is — There are no “one size fits all” vaccine recommendations. A veterinarian who knows your animal and your management system is your best resource to recommend what vaccines your equine should receive and with what frequency!

While vaccination does not prevent disease in all circumstances, a good immunization protocol minimizes the risk of infection and remains an essential component of responsible ownership. A vaccination appointment is also the perfect opportunity for a yearly check-up of your equine friend and a great way to catch any health concerns early.

If you have yet to contact your veterinarian about scheduling vaccinations, we encourage you to do it soon!

02/25/2025

With spring only a few weeks away (🙌), it’s not too early to start thinking about a deworming plan for your equine companions.

If deworming is something you’ve been doing the same way for as long as you can remember, this year we encourage you to break tradition and work with your veterinarian instead. Thanks to tools like the f***l egg count, your horse doctor can help you devise a treatment tailored to the needs of your equine friend plus monitor the efficacy of the dewormer used last.

And before you dismiss this notion because you’ve been “doing it for years,” you should know that the old-school approach to deworming is quickly becoming outdated—not only a waste of money but it also builds drug resistance in the parasitic fauna of equines, which means we are running out of drugs that can effectively help us control parasite infections.

As always, consult your equine veterinarian to learn more and for questions specific to your animals!

01/31/2025

Please help spread the word! The Clemson Eventing Team will be hosting their annual clinic in Aiken this March for anyone that may be interested!

2025 Spring Clinic Interest Form 🐅💜

We will be hosting our annual clinic on March 22-23, 2025 in Aiken SC. Please fill out the form in our bio or comments so that we can determine interest! Pricing will vary depending on the amount of riders we have!

Please reach out to McKenna Honeycutt ([email protected]) with any questions or further details!

12/16/2024

WOAH!🐴 Hold your horses and check this out!

Greenville Equine recently purchased a PulseVet unit and now offers shock wave therapy!

The PulseVet Shock Wave System produces high energy sound waves to stimulate cells and release healing growth factors throughout the body that function to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, accelerate bone formation, and enhance wound healing.

Shock wave therapy can be used for:
- Tendon and ligament injuries
- Bone fractures (stress fractures/splints)
- Osteoarthritis/ joint inflammation and pain
- EIPH & equine asthma
- Foot injuries
- Wounds
- Back pain & kissing spine syndrome
- & much more!

Contact Greenville Equine for more information and to schedule your first shock wave appointment!
864-691-6096
[email protected]